Fluid-clutch.



C. A. SAWTELLE.

FLUID CLUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 20,1911.

1,035,478. A Patented Aug. 13, 1912.

2 SHBETS-SHEET 1.

Maf/fesses.' 120er/for 4c. A. SAWTBLLE.

FLUID CLUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 20,1911.

Patented Aug. 13, 1912.

Q SHEETS-SHEET 8.

CHARLES A. SAWTELLE, 0F SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA.

FLUID-CLUTCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Ang'. 1 3,1912.

Application filed July 20, 19.11. Serial No. 639,526.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that LCi-mnLns A. Saw- 'rnLL, a citizen of the United States, residing a'. Sacramento, in the county of Sacramento and State of Californimhave invented new and useful Improvements in Fluid-Clutches, of which the following is a specification.

`This invention relates to a variable speed clutch, and particularly pertains to a clutch of the hydraulic type.

Itis the Object of this invention to provide a clutch of the hydraulic type in `which the use 0f gear teeth and valves is dispensed with and by which a driven sha'tt -may be rotated at various speeds from a uniformly driven drive shaft, and which ob- 'viatesthe'nse of pulleys, gears and other transmission devices commonly employed for this purpose. v

Another object 1s 'to provide a clutch of 4 the above character, which is simple in construction, eieient -in operation and not liable to get out of order, and by means of which the drive shaft and the driven shaft may be readily connected and disconnected, as desired.

Other objects will become apparent in the following description.

vThe invention consists of the parts and the combination and construction ot parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which 35v Figure l is a vertical section ot the invention. Fig. 2 is a section on the line X X, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail and side elevation ofthe groove and eam-and the mechanism for operating same. Fig. 4 is a, section on the line Y Y, Fig. 1, showing the vanos in elevation.

-In the drawings A represents a drive shaft and B is a shaft to he driven. Rigidly mounted on the shaft B is an elli tical casing or housing 2, which may be o any suitable construction, and is closed at both ends;

one being closed by means ot a removable and D are formed between the casing 2 and cylinder 5 on diamctrieally opposite sides of the latter, which spaces are filled with any suitable fluid or semi-liquid.

Slidabl)v mounted and guided in the cylinder 5 are ay series ot' blades or vanes 6, in this case seven in number; \\'liicli \'anes are designed to be advanced outwardly beyond or retracted within the periphery of the cylinder 5, through the guide slots in the cylinder, and are so designed as to extend the full width of the inner circumferential wall ot' the casing Q in the chambers C-D.

Mounted on the inner end oi. each vane is a pin 7 which extends through a slot formed in the cylinder 5 and has a roller S revolubly mounted thereon. rThe rollers S are designed to travel in a cam groove 9 which is formed on a divided sleeve a and which groove is adapted to be elongatedV and contracted by spreading the divided sleeve fr or drawing it together, as will prescntly be described so as to cause the vanes G to move back or 'forth in the cylinder The operation of extending or contracting the cam groove. 9 by separating the divided sleeve o or drawing ittogether, is accomplished by means of oppositely disposed eecentries l0 and 10 'formed on a sleeve l11 mounted on the shait A. Straps l2 and l2 pass around the eccentrics l0 and 10 respectively, andare pivotally connected at diametrieally opposed points to' the two halves oi the divided sleeve (L as shown in Figs. l and 2.

ln the operation of the invention` the sleeve ll is rotated by means of' a pin 13 which is mounted ona collar 14 slidable longitudinally on the hub 4; the pin 13 extending through a slot in the hub 4 .and projecting into an angularly disposed groove l5 formed on the sleeve ll. The sl ceve l1, when rotated by the pin 13, causes the eeeentrics l() and l0 to advance or retract the halves of the divided sleeves a--a through the eccentric straps 1Q and l2 whicholongates the cam groove 9.in` such manner that the vanes 6 will be caused to project into the chambers C and D'between the cylinder 5 and easing 2 when the eylinder 5 is 'rotated with the'drive shaft A.

It will be observed that when the cylinder 5 .is rotated with the divided sleeve a in its innermost position, the vanes 6 will not extend into the chambers C and D, so that the cylinder will travel freely Within the casing 2 and there .Will be no movement of the latter; but when the tips of the vanes 6 are caused to project into the chambers C and D and contact the inner circumferential Wall of the' casing 2 as beforedescribed, the liquid in these spaces acts to block the rotary movement of vanes 6 and cylinder 5 with the effect of causing the casing 2 land shaft B to travel in unison with the cyl inder 5 and shaft A. By varying the extent of the projection of the vanes 6 into the `chambers C-D the speed 'of rotation of the casing 2 and sha-ft B in relation to the speed of the cylinder 5 and shaft A will be varied, for the reason that the liquid in the' chambers C-FD will only partially retard t-he movement of the vanes 6 in relation to the casing 2; the v'anes 6 then traveling through the liquid at a speed proportional to the amount of blade area extending therein. By this arrangement, any desired speed may be given the shaft B from the shaft A from an extremely low speed to a high speed equaling that of the shaft A, or the drive -shaft A may be rotated independent of the driven shaft B.

Means are provided for preventing slippage When the shaft B is to be rotated at high speed; which slippage would be occasioned by leakage of the liquids in the chambers C-.D around the ends and edges of the vanes 6. This means is here shown as consistingof a toothed clutch-member 16 slidable on the shaft A and Which is connected to the sleeve la on the hub 4 in such manner as to be reciprocated in unison there- With; the clutch member 16 engaging teeth to turn one-half of a revolution to throw` the divided sleeve a into its outermost position; the end portion of the diagonal slot l5 extending parallel with. the axis of the sleeve 11 to admit the sleeve 14C being moved i .a short 'distance Without operating the sleeve 11 and which movement is sufiici ent to throw the clutch member 16 into engagement with the hub 4.

The clutch member 16 is keyed on the shaft A so that when it is engaged with the hub 4:, the latter will be caused to rotate in unison with the shaft A. By this arrangement the shaft B may be driven direct from the shaft A on the high speed.

If desired, the Whole interior of the cas- ,ing 2 may be filled with the liquid before mentioned, so as to obviate any difficulty arising from leakage of the liquid through the guide slots in the cylinder 5, and means are provided for insuring the chambers C-D being maintained in a completely filled condition.

This means is here 'shown 'as consisting of a series of passages, indicated at 79--c-0l and e, which are formed in the casing 2 and lead from the outer ends of the crescent shaped chambers C and D to a suitable point cornmunicating with the space inclosed by the cylinder 5. The passages b-ofl and e are each provided with a check valve, indicated at f, which valve is designed to open toward the chambers C and D.

From the foregoing 4it Will be seen that when the cylinder 5 and vanes 6 are ro tated in either direction any liquid that may leak from the chambers C and DVWill be replaced through the passages 'Z9- e or c-d according to the direction of rotation; .the vanes 6 creating a suction as they pass over the outer openings of the passages, so as to draw or pump What liquid is necessary to completely lill the chambers C and D between the vanes 6r. Byv this arrangement the chambers C and D ymay he maintained in a filled condition. l

The operation of the invention is4 as follows: When it is desired that no motion b e given the shaft B from 'the shaft A, the vanes' 6 are caused to ret-ain their innermost position in the cylinder 5 Which alloiasxthe` latter to revolve freely within the casing 2j when the shaft A is Irotated; thecasing2 remaining stationary. When it is desiredv to rotate the shaft B in unison with the shaft A, the vanes 6 are caused to extendv to theinner periphery of the casing 2,' as before described, which action locks the cylinder 5 on the shaft Aand casing 2 on the shaft B together.

VThe shaft B may be rotated at various4 speeds in relation to the shaft A by Vary ing the extent of the projection of the vanes 6 beyond the outer vperiphery of the cylindery, as before described.

. Having thus described my 1nvention,what' its outer periphery contacting the inner circumferential Wall of the housing at diametrically opposed points',l a 'series of vanes slidably mounted in said cylinder, and

Ameans for positively advancing and retracting said vanes, said means including a divided expansible member, the parts of which are connected to the inner ends of the vanes.

elliptical housing, a cylinder revoluble therein and disposed centrally thereof `with its outer periphery pontacting the inner ciri cumferential Wall of the housing at dia- 2. A variable speedvclutch comprising an metrically opposedI points, a series of vanes slidably mounted in said cylinder, means for advancing and reti-acting said vanes, said means consisting of a cam groove, rollers on said vanes adapted to travel in said groove, and means whereby said groove may be expanded and contracted.

3. A variable speed clutch comprising an elliptical housing, a cylinder revoluble therein and disposed centrally thereof with its outer periphery contacting the inner circumferential wall of the housing at diametr'ically 'opposed points, a series of vanes slidably mounted in said cylinder, means for advancing and retracting said vanes, said means consisting of a cam groove, means whereby said groove may be expanded and contracted, said means'including a divided sleeve on which the cam groove is formed, and a mechanism for nreciprocating the halves of the divided sleeve in opposite diiections.

4. A variable speed clutch comprising an elliptical housing, a cylinder rcvohlble therein and disposed centrally thereof with itsoutcr periphery contacting the inner eircumferential wall of the housing at diametrically opposed points, a series of vanes slidably mounted in said cylinder, means for advancing and retracting said vanes, said means consisting of a cam groove, means whereby said groove may be expanded and contracted, said means including a divided sleeve on which the cam groove is formed, a mechanism for reciprocating the halves of the divided sleeve in opposite directions, said mechanism embodying a pair of ecccn tries, a sleeve o`n which said eccentrics are mounted, straps on said eccentrics connected to the divided sleeve, and means for rotating said eccentric carrying-sleeve exterior of the casing.

5. In a variable speed clutch, anelliptical casing, a cylinder therein, the outer diameter of said cylinder corresponding to the minor diameter of 'the interior of said easing, the cylinder being positioned centrally of the casing to form a pair of oppositely disposed crescent shaped chambers between the cylinder and casing, a series of vanes in said cylinder adapted to be extended into and withdrawn from the chambers, and a divided expansible sleeve the parts ot' which are connected to the 'anes for positively moving the latter in and out of the chainbers.

' 6. In a clutch, the combination with a drive shaft and a driven shaft, of au elliptical casing mounted on the driven shaft, a cylinder mounted on the drive shaft and disposed within said elliptical casi ng and dividing the interiorof the casing into two compartments, a series of vanes mounted in said cylinder, and means including a divided expansible member having a cam groove for reciprocating said vanes to project them successively into the compartments and to withdraw them therefrom.

7. ln a clutch, the combination wit-h a drive shaf-t and a driven shaft, of an elliptical casing mounted on the driven shaft, a cylinder mounted on the drive shaft and disposed within said elliptical casing and dividing the interior of the casing into two compartments, a series of vanes mounted in said cylinder, means for reciprocating said vanes to project them successively into the compartments and to withdraw them therefronnsa'id means including a roller on each of -said vanos, a` cam groove in which said rollers are adapted to travel, and means for expanding and contracting said cam groove.

8. In a clutch, the combination with a drive shaft and a. driven shaft, of an ellipti cal casing mounted on the driven shaft, a cylinder mounted on the drive shaft and disposed within said elliptical casiug and dividing the interior of the casing into two comjiuu'tments, a series of vanes mounted in said cylinder, means for reciprocating said vanes to project them successivelyinto the compartments and to withdraw them therefrom, said means including a roller on each of said vanes, a cam groove in which said rollers are adapted to travel, means for expanding and contracting said cam groove, said means including a divided sleeve on which said cam groove is formed, and eccentrics for reciprocating the Darts of the sleeve in opposite directions.

' 9. In a clutch, the combination with a drive shaft and a driven shaft, of an elliptical casing mounted on the driven shaft, a'

cylinder mounted on the drive shaft and d isposed within said elliptical casing and dividing the interior of the casing into two compartments, a series of vanes mounted in said cylinder, means for reciprocating said vanes to project` them successively into th compartmcnts and to withdraw them therefrom, said means including a roller ou each of said vanes, a cam groove in which said rollers are adapted to travel, means for expanding and contracting said cam groove, said means consisting of a divided sleeve on which said cam groove is formed, eccei'itrics for reciprt eating the parts of the sleeve in opposite directions, a sleeve on which said eccentrics are mounted, and means for rotating said Vsleeve exterior of the casing independent of the drive shaft.

l0. ln a clutch, the combination with a drive. shaft; and a driven shaft, of an elliptical' casing mounted on the driven shaft, a c vvlinder mounted on thc drive shaft and disposed within said elliptical casing and dividing the interior of the casing into two winpartments, a series of vaues mounted in said cylinder, means for recij'n'ocating said vanes to project them successively into the compartments and to withdraw themi therefrom.; said means including a roller on ai h of said vanes,'a cam Igroove in which said rollers are adapted to travel, means for expandingand contracting said cam-groove7 said means consisting of a divided sleeve on which said cam groo'vevis formed, eccentrics for reciprocating the parts of the sleeve in opposite directions, a sleeve on which said eecentries are mounted, means for rotating said sleeve exterior of the casinn` independentI ot the drive shaft, and valved passages leading from the ends of said crescent shaped chambers from a point near the inner periphery of the casing to a pointiiear the center or the casing.

11'. ln a clutch, the combination with a drive shaft and a driven shaft` of an elliptical easing mounted on the driven shaft, a e'vlinder mounted on the drive shaftand disposed within said elliptical tasing and dividing the interior of the easing,- into two compartments, a series of vanes mounted in said. cylinder, means for reciprocating said vanos to project them successively into the compartments and to withdraw them therefrom, said means including a roller on each of said vanes, a cam groove inv which -said rollers are adapted vto travel, means for expanding and contracting said cam groove, said means consisting of a di; vided sleeve on which said cam groove is formed, eceentrics for reciprocating t-he parts of the sleeve in opposite directions, a sleeve on which said eecentries are mounted` means for rotating said sleeve exterior of the casingr independent of the drive shaft, valved passages leading from the ends of said crescent shaped chambers from a point near the inner periphery of the casing to a pointnear the center of the easing, and a olnteli member on the drive shaft. for eng-ag ing said easing on the driven shaft.

n In testimony whereof l have hereunto set my hand in the presence of tivo subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES A. SAVVTELLE. Vitnesses I CHARLES EniiLMAN, ZETA HAsTiNGs. 

